HALTING PLACE I: MIQAT The Miqat is the place of getting into the state of Ihram in Umrah and Tamattu'. The following five places serve as Miqat:
Masjid ash-Shajarah (also known as Thu'l-Hulayfah) is the Miqat for people of Medina who intend to go to Mecca .
Juhafah is the Miqat for those who head for Mecca through Damascus and Egypt
Al-Aqiq is the Miqat for those who go to Mecca from Najd and Iraq .
Yalamlam is the Miqat for those who go to Mecca from Yemen .
Qarn al-Manaazil is the Miqat for people who go on Hajj through Ta'if.
All those who head for God's House have to stop in the Miqat, take off their ordinary clothes, put on Ihram, and go to the Sacred Mosque while saying, ‘Labbayk'.
The Miqat is a station where a pilgrim waits for permission to enter God's House and purification from all pollutions. Hence, performing Ghusl (ritual washing of the body) before putting on Ihram is a praiseworthy act for a pilgrim. After performing Ghusl, men wrap themselves with two pieces of unstitched white clothes instead of elegant clothes, which make people distinct from one another. They look like dead people in shroud, detached from the world and entering the realm of submission. A pilgrim takes off the robe of disobedience and puts on the garment of piety, prepared for saying:
لَبَّيْكَ اللّهُمَّ لَبّيكَ، لَبّيكَ لا شريكَ لكَ لبّيكَ، إنّ الحَمدَ والنّعمَةَ لكَ والمُلكَ، لا شَريكَ لكَ لَبّيكَ
“Yes, here I am, O Lord, here I am. Here I am, there is no partner for You, here I am. Surely, praise, grace, and kingship are Yours. There is no partner for you. Here I am.”
When a pilgrim gets into the state of Ihram, he enters into a sanctuary and is entitled to a special position, which he should really appreciate. For this reason, the prophets and Imams (a.s) looked pale, trembled, and in some cases became unconscious in the state of Ihram and in saying Labbayk.
Talbiyah (saying Labbayk) is the special words pronounced by the pilgrims of God's House. It is a song of love chanted by the bird of Paradise in response to a heavenly and invisible call. Repetition of Talbiyah is a praiseworthy act of Ihram and a motto for Muhrim (one in state of Ihram).
“Whoever says Labbayk for seventy times out of faith and devotion, Allah will assign thousands of angels to witness him immunity from the Fire (of Hell) and schism.” [88]
The Talbiyah of Imam Sadiq (a.s) was as follows:
لَبَّيْكَ اللّهُمَّ لَبّيكَ، لَبّيكَ لا شريكَ لكَ لبّيكَ، إنّ الحَمدَ والنّعمَةَ لكَ والمُلكَ، لا شَريكَ لكَ لَبّيكَ، ذا المَعارِجِ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ، داعِياً إلى دارِ السّلامِ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ، غَفَّارَ الذّنوبِ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ، أهلَ التّلبِيةِ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ، ذا الجَلالِ والإكْرامِ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ، مرهوباً ومرغوباً إليك لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ، تُبدئُ والمَعادُ إليكَ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ، كَشّافَ الكُرَبِ العِظامِ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ، عبدُكَ وابن عَبدَيكَ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ
“Yes, here I am, O Lord, here I am. Here I am, there is no partner for You, here I am. Surely, praise and blessings belong to You and the kingdom, too. There is no partner for You, here I am. The Lord of the ways of Ascent, her I am, here I am. You call to the dwelling of peace, here I am, here I am. O Forgiver of sins, here I am, here I am. You are the worthiest of being answered, here I am, here I am. Lord of Glory and Honor, here I am, her I am. I am coming towards You fearfully and willingly, here I am, here I am. You are the Beginner and all the returns are towards You, here I am, here I am. Remover of all sorrows, here I am, here I am. I am Your servant and the son of Your two servants, here I am, her I am. O Generous One, here I am.” [89]
HOLDING OF TONGUE IMPORTANT IN STATE OF IHRAM A pilgrim has to hold his tongue, for a great number of man's sins results from his tongue. A man's deeds can be ruined as a result of a slip of tongue. The Holy Prophet (saw) says:
وهَل يَكُبُّ الناسَ عَلى مَناخِرِهِم في النّارِ إلاّ حصائِدُ ألسِنَتِهِم؟ لا يَستَقيمُ اِيمانُ عَبدٍ حتّى يَستَقيمَ قَلبُهُ، ولا يَستَقيمُ قَلبُهُ حتّى يَستَقيمَ لِسانُهُ. رَحِمَ اللهُ عَبداً تَكَلّم خَيراً فَغَنِمَ أو سَكتَ عن سوءٍ فَسَلِم.مَن كانَ يؤمِنُ باللهِ واليَومِ الآخَرِ فليقُلْ خَيراً أو لِيسكُتْ
“Has the people's being thrown into the Fire (of hell) on their faces been for any reason other than their tongues? The faith of a servant of Allah will not become straight unless his heart is straight and his heart is not straight unless his tongue is straight. Allah may have mercy upon a servant who speaks good words and enjoys its blessings, refrains from speaking indecent words and is safe from its sinister consequence. He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must say good wording or keep silent.” [90]
Therefore, it is incumbent on the pilgrims to be careful about what they say and not to invalidate their great acts. They must refrain from telling lies, backbiting, swearing, taking oaths, self-praising, finding faults with others, mocking, joking, and vexing others.
“The pilgrimage is (performed in) the well‑known months; so whoever determines the performance of the pilgrimage therein , there shall be neither intercourse nor fornication nor quarreling amongst one another. (The Holy Quran; 2:197)”
“On many occasions, a man may say something to make his companions laugh but as a result of the same words he will go far from Allah's mercy as much as the distance between the earth and the heavens.” [91]
لا تُكثِروا الكَلامَ في غَيرِ ذِكْرِ اللهِ فإنّ الذِينَ يُكثِرونَ الكَلامَ في غَيرِ ذِكرِ اللهِ قاسِيةٌ قُلوبُهُم ولكِن لا يَعلَمونَ
“Do not speak too much save in remembering Allah, for those who speak too much but do not remember Allah are hardhearted but they do not know.” [93]
Therefore, a pilgrim should keep on remembering God and pronouncing His Names. To be reckless in a state of Ihram, to let eyes, ears, and tongues free to do what they wish, to insult the cook, the courier, and the co-travelers means to dishonor the Host in His House. We seek refuge to God from ignorance.
O brethren of sincerity and God's confidants, let us say Labbayk from the bottom of our hearts in unison: Yes, here I am, O Lord, here I am. Here I am, there is no partner for You, here I am.
HALTING PLACE II: MATAAF
وَلْيَطَّوَّفُوا بِالْبَيْتِ الْعَتِيقِ
“… And let them go round the Ancient House. (The Holy Quran; 22:29 )”
We now enter the city of Mecca where the Messenger of God was born and the Holy Quran was revealed. It is the descending place of the revelation and the angels. It is a city of security. Its safety has covered both plants and animals. No one has the right to cut off a plant, to harm an animal even to scare away the birds form their nests. For this reason, the birds of the Sacred Mosque are accustomed to bet people and fly here and there without being scared. This, by itself, shows the spread of overall justice in the world of Islam to the extent that even plants and animals are secure from aggression let alone the human beings who have superior rights.
Mecca , the Mother of cities, is the birthplace of the real civilizations of human beings, a civilization devoid of corruption, indecency, and plundering, a civilization that generates godly, trustworthy, truthful, faithful, and pious human beings. Such a civilization produced the Holy Quran that has its rise from the horizon of Mecca . Therefore, Mecca is the mother of the cities where actual humanity lived. Mecca is the generator of a magnificent human civilization devoid of bestiality. Mecca is the city of monotheism, a sacred center, which houses the Ancient House, the ancient temple as well as the international Muslims' Kiblah.
We now go through the streets of Mecca , though overcrowded but dignified and tranquillizing, and approach the Sacred Mosque. We see the flood of pilgrims pour into the magnificent Mosque and enthusiastically go towards the Kaaba through different gates opened to the guests of God. We, too, enter the Mosque and our eager look falls on the Kaaba, and edifice of glory and majesty having its head in heaven, casting its shade upon God's servants and spreading its lap to give comfort to God's guests who have come here from distant places with much trouble.
Like moths attracted to bright lights, the pilgrims, fascinated by the Kaaba, go round and embrace it as the dearest one, expressing their need to the One Who is free from want. They are deeply impressed by the scene. They start weeping and praising the House of God:
“Praise is due to Allah Who gave you dignity and honor making you pilgrimage for men and place of security, blessed and guidance for the people of the world.” [94]
Yes, this is the House of the Lord of the heavens and the earth. It is a house whose magnificence makes the kings' hearts sink and whose majesty and awe made the prophets prostrate them selves before it saying:
“O Lord, the House is Yours, the Sanctuary is Yours, the servant too is Yours.” [96]
IMAM BAQIR BY THE SIDE OF THE KAABA Aflah, the slave whom was set free by Imam Baqir (a.s) reports:
I was accompanying Imam Bqir (a.s) during Hajj. When he entered the Sacred Mosque and his look fell on the Kaaba, he was overwhelmed by weeping. I said, ‘My parents be ransoms for you, people are watching you, can you not lower your voice to a whisper?' The Imam answered, ‘O Aflah, this is Allah's House, why should I not be weeping? Perhaps He will look at me favorably making me delivered in the Hereafter.'
The Imam then circumambulated the Kaaba, performed the Tawaf Prayer in its proper place, and went into prostration. When he raised his head, I saw that his forehead was wet with tears. [97]
BEWARE, THIS IS THE PRECINCT OF THE KAABA, AND A HOLY PLACE This is the place before which all the prophets from Adam (a.s) to the seal of the prophets (saw) as well as the immaculate Imams were humble, made circumambulation, and prostrated themselves. Traditions say that after the descending of Adam (a.s) –from Paradise- , God made a dome of white pearl in the present place of the Kaaba for him to circumambulate it. The dome survived until the time of Noah's flood when God took it to the heavens. Since then, the site of the Kaaba became a place for circumambulation for the prophets (a.s) until the time of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) who was missioned by God to build the Kaaba.
وإِذْ بَوّأْنا لإِبراهِيمَ مَكانَ البَيتِ
“And when we assigned to Ibrahim the place of the House. (The Holy Quran; 22:26 ).
“And when Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundations of the House. (The Holy Quran; 2:127)”
With the passage of time, the Kaaba was sometimes completely or partially subject to changes. Yet it continued to survive with its majesty and glory and the ummah is enjoying its blessings.
SURVIVAL OF THE KAABA, A WONDER It is a wonder that all the royal palaces built throughout history have been demolished but the Kaaba, a house built of mud and stone about four thousand years ago by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail (a.s) in a parched land is still upright and will continue to be loved by human beings until the Day of Judgment.
What is more wonderful is the attraction of this House. So many glorious and majestic buildings in the world are found in areas of good climate, but the Kaaba attracts people to itself without having means of entertainment or being satisfying people's pleasure. The reason however is natural. It is God Himself Who has created this attraction in people's hearts through Prophet Ibrahim's supplication:
“And proclaim among men the pilgrimage: they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path. (The Holy Quran; 22:27 )”
A quotation from Imam Sadiq (a.s) refers to the same secret:
“When Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail (a.s) were assigned to build the House and they completed it, Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) sat on a pillar calling people to Hajj. Then people in men's loins gave a positive response to the call of Allah. Whoever said Labbayk for ten times performs ten times of Hajj, whoever said for five times performs five times of Hajj, whoever said more performs more, and whoever said Labbayk once performs only one time of Hajj and one who did not say Labbayk performs no Hajj.” [98]
IMPORTANCE OF THE CIRCUMAMBULATION OF THE KAABA Circumambulation means to go round something. This act shows the utmost degree of love to the extent that a lover wishes to sacrifice himself for the beloved. A real pilgrim who has thirst for meeting his Beloved has been detached from everything. By going round the House of the Beloved, he wishes to prove that he desires nothing but God. The planets circumambulate the sun, for they take everything from it. Inside an atom, the electrons circumambulate the protons. The whole universe ranging from the invisible particles to the planets and galaxies circumambulate. Man, being a part of the universe, should circumambulate, too, with the difference that the planets circumambulate in a compulsory way according to the laws of nature, but man, the rational being and possessor of free will, circumambulates with his logic and will a House God has appointed to honor human beings. Hence, it is natural for Muslims to offer their prayers, to sit, to stand, to recite the Holy Quran, to sleep, to lie down at the moment of death, to be put in grave, and finally to be in that direction during their lifetimes and death.
“Say: Surely my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. (The Holy Quran; 6:162)”
THE POSITION OF ONE WHO HAS THE HONOR OF CIRCUMAMBULATION As for one who has given a positive response to God's call and has managed to attend His House, he is honorable guest received by the Honorable Host Who gives abundantly and freely:
يَا مَنْ يُعْطِي الكَثيرَ بِالقَليلِ
“O' He Who gives much in return of very little deeds.” [99]
Imam Ali (a.s) was asked: What is the meaning of a pilgrim's act when he restores to the Kaaba and catches hold of its curtains? He (a.s) answered:
“His act is like one who has committed an offence against another person and now while regretting, he appeals to him, takes hold of his garment, and humbly asks for pardon.” [100]
Under such circumstance, a magnanimous person is required to show favor and forgiveness. God Who is the most magnanimous will be certainly generous and forgiving towards His servant.
The following glad tidings reached us from the Holy Prophet (saw):
“For every pilgrim who circumambulates the Kaaba at noon bareheaded and bare-footed, takes short paces, lowers his eyes out of modesty, touches the Black Stone in every circumambulation, harms no one, and keeps on remembering Allah, Allah will write seventy thousand rewards for him, remove from him seventy thousand wrongdoings, promotes him seventy thousand ranks, sets free on his behalf seventy thousand slaves worth ten thousand dirhams each, give him the right of intercession for seventy persons of his relatives, and fulfill seventy thousand of his demands either immediately or later on.” [101]
Imam Sadiq (a.s) says:
مَن نظَرَ الى الكَعبَةِ لم يَزَلْ تُكتَبُ لهُ حَسَنَةٌ وتُمحَى عنهُ سَيِّئَةٌ حَتّى يَنصَرفَ بَبَصَرِهِ عنهَا
“Whoever looks at the Kaaba, as long as his eyes are on it, rewards are written for him and his wrongdoings are written off until he turns his look from it.” [102]
“There are a hundred and twenty kinds of Allah's mercy in the precinct of the Kaaba; sixty of them are for those who circumambulate, forty for those who perform prayers there, and twenty for whose who look at it.” [103]
Therefore, one must take care to obtain the highest degrees of divine profit with the easiest acts.
“Surely, the Safa and the Marwa are among the signs appointed by Allah. (The Holy Quran; 2:158)”
After the completion of the circumambulating the Kaaba and the Tawaf Prayer, a pilgrim must perform Sa'y, that is, he has to walk between Mount Safa and Mount Marwa for seven times starting from Mount Safa and ending with Mount Marwa. By this cat, a pilgrim reveals his spiritual worry that he cannot abandon the Beloved's House. Hence, he leaves it and returns. Standing on the top of Mount Safa , he eagerly looks at the Kaaba and sheds tears, has communion with God and comes down for Mount Marwa with special sincerity, join the crowd whose supplication fills the Mas'a. He traverses this distance with Harwala (fast pace), which is praiseworthy act. Every time he goes forward and returns, he becomes more purified. Imam Sadiq (a.s) says:
“There is no position more honorable to Allah than the Mas'a, for every arrogant and disobedient become humble there.” [105]
With this worrisome shuttle, a pilgrim is reminded of a worried mother who, four thousand years ago, shuttled seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwa in search of water for her thirsty infant, supplicating to God until her prayer was answered, according to the Holy Quranic Verse:
“… or who answers the distressed one when he calls upon Him and removes the evil? (27:62)”
Hence, limpid water gushed out of that dead land and gave new life to Hagar –the mother- and Ismail –the child. The wonder is that the same water is gushing out to this date from the well known as Zamzam, giving a spiritual life to the pilgrims. To drink from it and pour upon one's head are praiseworthy acts.
“O Lord, make it useful knowledge, abundant subsistence, and healing for every disease.” [106]
If man reflects a little bit on this holy place, he will most probably go through a spiritual change and realize how gates of God's mercy are opened to the pure and devoted servants.
Supplication by a broken-hearted mother can cleave unshakable mountains causing gushing of water from dead land and opening the gates of favor and mercy from an invisible world.
“But if they turn back, say: Allah is sufficient for me, there is no Allah but He; on Him do I rely and He is the Lord of mighty power. (The Holy Quran; 9:129)”
Man's call upon God is answered only if such a call is from the bottom of the heart. A spiritual change makes dried trees green and fruitful, and causes water to gush out of a hot desert. Virgin Mary (a.s) who had the pangs of childbirth and was moaning to God saying: “Oh, would that I had died before this and had been a thing quite forgotten. (The Holy Quran; 19:23 ),” heard God's voice through her infant: “Then (the child) called out to her from beneath her: Grieve not, surely your Lord has made a stream to flow beneath you; and shake towards you the trunk of the palm tree, it will drop on you fresh ripe dates. So, eat and drink and refresh the eye. (The Holy Quran; 19:24 -6)” To defend his mother's innocence, the infant Jesus (a.s) spoke, “Surely, I am a servant of Allah; He has given me the Book and made me a prophet. (The Holy Quran; 19:30 )”
Also, a Sura has taken the name of Virgin Mary so as to testify to her purity and innocence until the Day of Judgment.
Hagar, a faithful woman and wife of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) who has been abandoned in a burning desert according to God's order, relies on God alone and has set her hope in Him. What else can she do save supplicating to Him:
إِلهَِي ورَبِّي مَن لي غَيرُكَ أسْألُهُ كَشْفَ ضُرّي والنَّظَرَ في أمْرِي
“My Lord and Nourisher, have I anyone except You from Whom I can seek the dislodging of my evils and understanding of my problems?” [107]
The result of Hagar's supplication was that limpid water gushed out from under her infant's feet:
“… And whoever is careful of his duty to Allah, He will make for him an outlet and give him sustenance from whence he thinks not; and whoever trusts in Allah, He is sufficient for him. (The Holy Quran; 65:2-3)”
Hagar's act, which is a symbol of monotheism, reliance on God, and detachment from what is not godly, has become one of the pillars of the Hajj rites and a duty for the Hajj pilgrims. The act of Sa'y must be performed with the presence of heart and effort must be made not to miss the spiritual opportunity.
HALTING PLACE IV: MOUNT ARAFAT The first days of Dhu'l-Hijja are full of tumult in Mecca . Like a kind mother, this holy city opens her arms to the pilgrims. Thanks to the blessing God has bestowed on Mecca , pilgrims are not in strait in terms of accommodations. They all feel comfortable and have peace of mind.
Those pilgrims who intend to perform Hajj at-Tamattu' have to stay in Mecca to perform Umrah first. Those intending to perform Hajj al-Qiran and Hajj al-Ifrad and those whose Hajj precedes Umrah enter Mecca in groups so as to put on Ihram, to say Labbayk, and to leave Mecca for Arafat. Umrah is an individual rite that does not need to be coordinated with others and can be performed on any day. However, Hajj, being a social event, must begin and end on a special day. Therefore, all those who intend to perform Hajj have to come to Mecca before the eighth of Dhu'l-Hijja and those who are late for an excuse have to join the pilgrims on the ninth of Dhu'l-Hijja before noon .
The huge caravan of the pilgrims moves towards Arafat in the afternoon of the eighth day. Heads are bare and bodies covered with two pieces of white unstitched clothes. Having with them provision for a few-day stay in the plain, and saying Labbayk whose spiritual echo is filling Mecca and the north-eastern plains, the pilgrims move in groups to gather in the plain of Arafat at noon of the ninth day.
WHERE IS ARAFAT? Arafat is a smooth and flat plain about twenty-four kilometers away from Northern Mecca in the lap of Jabal ur-Rahmah (literally meaning, Mount of Mercy). Arafat is a holy place God has appointed to receive His guests. The banquet is in Mount Mercy so that all guests can enjoy God's infinite blessings each according to his capacity.
MAN WILL NOT BECOME FAMILIAR WITH GOD AS LONG AS HE IS ATTACHED TO THE WORLD If man is left to himself, like children who have no power of distinction, he is attracted towards colorful toys. During Prophet Mohammad's Midnight Ascension, God said to him:
يَا أَحمَدُ، إحْذَر أنْ تَكونَ مِثلَ هذا الصَّبِيِّ إذا نَظَر إلى الأخضَرِ والأصفَرِ وإِذا أُعطِيَ شَيئاً مِن الحُلوِ والحامِضِ اِغتَرَّ بهِ
“O Ahmed, beware of being like a child who is deceived when looking at something green and yellow or tasting something sour and sweet.” [108]
God's address is aimed to make man aware of his grave position. In the plain of Arafat, a pilgrim is like a dead man who has been detached from everything and wearing a shroud and waiting for God's mercy. It is in this state that man can have communion with God and say from the bottom of his heart:
عَمِيَتْ عَينٌ لا تَراكَ علَيها رَقِيباً وخَسِرَت صَفْقَةُ عَبدٍ لم تجعَلْ لهُ مِن حُبِّكَ نصِيباً
“Let those eyes which do not see You as Watching be blind and let the asset (life) of a servant who has no share of Your love lead to loss.” [109]
The rite of staying in Arafat begins at the noon of the ninth of Dhu'l-Hijja and ends at the sunset of the same day. The time of this religious act is short but its divine blessings are great. Hearing a beggar asking people for something, Imam Sajjad (a.s) said:
وَيحَكَ، أغَيرَ اللهِ تسأَلُ في هَذا المقامِ؟ إنّه ليُرجَى لمِا في بُطونِ الجِبالِ في هذا اليَومِ أن يَكونَ سَعِيداً
“Woe to you! Are you asking people for help in this place while Allah's mercy today is so comprehensive that what is in mountains is hoped to receive His general mercy and become prosperous.” [110]
By ‘what is in mountains' the Imam (a.s) perhaps meant plants growing on the mountains as a result of whose transformation a prosperous man would be born. A man in the Sacred Mosque asked Imam Sadiq (a.s): “Whose sin is greater than others?” The Imam (a.s) answered:
مَن يقِفْ بهَذَينِ المَوقِفَينِ؛ عَرَفَةَ والمُزدَلِفَةِ، وسَعى بَينَ هذَينِ الجَبَلَينِ ثمّ طَافَ بهذا البَيتِ وصَلّى خَلفَ مَقامِ إبْراهِيمَ ثُمّ قالَ في نَفْسِهِ أو ظَنَّ أنَّ الله لم يَغفِرْ لهُ فَهوَ مِن أعظَمِ الناسِ وِزراً
“He who stays in Arafat and al-Muzdalifa, performs the Sa'y between Mount Safa and Mount Marwa, circumambulates the Kaaba, performs prayer in the standing-place of Ibrahim, and after completing all these acts says to himself or has the impression that Allah has not forgiven him is the biggest sinner.” [111]
Imam Baqir (a.s) says:
مَا يَقِفُ أحَدٌ على تِلكَ الجِبالِ بَرٌّ ولا فاجِرٌ إلا استَجابَ اللهُ لهُ. فأَمّا البَرُّ فيُستَجابُ لهُ في آخِرتِهِ ودُنياهُ، وأَمّا الفاجِرُ فَيُستَجابُ له في دُنياهُ
“The duaas –supplications- of every pious or impious man who stays in Arafat and al-Mash'ar will be absolutely answered. The duaas of a pious man will be fulfilled in matters regarding this world and the Hereafter but the duaas of an impious man will be fulfilled only in matters regarding this world.” [112]
“For a believing man of any village who stays in Arafat, Allah will forgive all the believing people of that village, and for a single man of a believing family who stays in Arafat, Allah will forgive all the believing members of that family.” [113]
DAY OF ARAFAT IS THE DAY OF SUPPLICATION TO GOD The Day of Arafat among all the days of the year has a special advantage for duaas—supplication to God. Duaas and asking for settlement of the needs of this world and the Hereafter are some of the most important acts of today. Fasting on such a day with all its virtues, if it leads to weakness in supplication will become blameworthy. Duaa opens the gates of God's mercy to His servants.
DUAA HAS ITS OWN EFFECT The Immaculate Imams (a.s) say that there are two ways to win God's mercy: deed and duaa. Those who practice good deeds enter through the gate of justice and are rewarded, but those who resort to duaa enter through the gate of grace and receive mercy.
Ibn-Fahd Hilli, in his book titled Oddatol Daee, quotes the prayer book of Mohammad ibn Saffar on the authority of the Holy Prophet (saw) as saying:
“Request from Allah so that He will grant. Allah bestows blessing upon a group of His servants in return for their deeds, and to another group in return for their sincere supplications. Then He will gather both groups in Paradise . The first will say: Our Lord, We were men of good deeds and You granted our requests but how about these people? Allah will say: My servants, I gave you your rewards fully. Those people too requested from Me and I gave them a share of My abundant Grace and Mercy. I will give to anyone I wish.” [114]
Those who perform their religious duties and reach the highest degree of eternal prosperity enter Paradise through the gate of Deed according to the Quranic Verse:
جَزَاءً ِبمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“(This is) a reward for what they used to do. (56:24)”
There is another gate by the name of Request or supplication. Not all people can enter through this gate. In the same way that practicing good deed is not easy, requesting from God is not easy either, for it requires a living heart, weeping eyes, and a spiritual state. God says:
اُدْعُونِي اَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ
“Call upon Me, I will answer you.(The Holy Quran; 40:60)”
Let us now become unison with Imam Sajjad (a.s) and say:
وَأنَا، يا إِلهِي، عَبدُكُ الذِي أَمَرتَهُ بِالدّعاءِ فَقالَ لَبّيكَ وسَعْدَيكَ، ها أنَا ذا يا رَبِّ مَطْروحٌ بَينَ يَديْكَ، أنا الّذِي أَوقَرَتِ الخَطايا ظَهرَهُ وأنا الّذي أفْنَتِ الذُّنوبُ عُمُرَهُ وأنا الّذي بجَهْلِهِ عَصاكَ ولم تَكُنْ أهْلاً مِنهُ لِذاكَ
“And I, my Allah, am Thy servant whom Thou commanded to supplicate and who said: I am at Thy service and disposal. Here I am, my Lord, thrown before Thee. I am he whose back offenses have weighed down! I am he whose lifetime sins have consumed! I am he who was disobedient in his ignorance, while Thou didst not deserve that from him!” [115]
Mohammad ibn Hasan Saffar, in his book of supplication, quotes the Holy Prophet (saw) as saying:
Two persons whose deeds were the same will enter Paradise . But one of the two will see the other superior. Hence, he will say: ‘My Lord, we have done the same deeds. What is his superior position for?' Allah will say: ‘He requested from Me but you did not.' (Then the Holy Prophet (saw) said:) “Request from Allah as much as you can, for your request is not great for Allah.”
Moyasser, a narrator, quotes Imam Sadiq (a.s) as saying:
يا مُيسّر، أُدْعُ ولا تَقُلْ إِنَّ الأمْرَ قَد فُرِغَ مِنهُ. إنَّ عِندَ اللهِ عَزّ وجَلّ مَنزِلَةٌ لا تُنالُ إِلا بمَسأَلَةٍ، ولَو أنَّ عَبداً سَدَّ فاهُ ولم يَسأَلْ لم يُعطَ شَيئاً، فَسَلْ تُعْطَ. يا مُيَسّر، إنّهُ لَيس مِن بابٍ يُقرَعُ إلا يوشَكُ أنْ يَنفَتِحَ لِصاحِبِه
“O Moyasser, call upon Allah and do not say what is destined will happen. There is with Allah a position you will not attain save through supplication. If a servant shuts his mouth and does not request anything from Allah, he will be given nothing. Therefore, request so that you will be given. O Moyesser, every door that is knocked will be opened.” [116]
BEWARE! HERE IS ARAFAT Here is the plain of Arafat, resembling the Day of Judgment. What a tumult! Millions of pilgrims from different nations have converged on this plain. Wearing shrouds and bareheaded, all the pilgrims have raised their hands in supplication in this hot plain. What incentive has brought them to this wasteland from their homes? Have they come here under any force or allure of anything? They have come here to give positive response to God's call. They have come here to enjoy the divine banquet to win God's pleasure. It is the day of benefaction. O Lord, this edifice is the same place where Adam confessed his sin and was forgiven. It is the place where Ibrahim supplicated to God and won His favor. All messengers of God prostrated themselves in this place. The Holy Prophet (saw), too, expressed his servitude to God here. Accompanied by his friends, Imam Hussein (a.s), too, raised his hands in supplication to God in this place. The sun on the day of Arafat set amidst the moaning and weeping of Imam Hussein (a.s) and his companions. Can a person not be moved to tears in this place where God does not withhold His generosity and forgiveness? It is said that the biggest sin belongs to one who returns from Arafat thinking that he has not been forgiven; that is, he is disappointed with God's mercy.
Addressing Jesus (a.s), God says:
يا عِيسى، كَم أُطِيلُ النَّظَرَ وأُحسِنُ الطَّلَب َوالقومُ لا يَرجِعونَ!
“O Jesus, how long should I wait and show well wish for the people to turn to Me?” [117]
A Hadith Qudsi says:
لو عَلِمَ المُدْبِرونَ عَنِّي كيفَ انتِظارِي بِهِم وشَوقِي إلى تَوبَتِهِم لمَاتوا شَوقاً إِليّ ولَتَفَرَّقَت أوصالُهُم
“If they who turn their backs to Me know how eager I am for their turning to Me, they will certainly die out of eagerness to Me and their body joints will fall apart.” [118]
“O, He who comes toward those who come towards Him and grants gifts and bestows bounty upon them through tenderness! He is Compassionate and Clement toward those heedless of His remembrance and loving and tender in drawing them to His door!” [119]
“And He it is Who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons the evil deeds. (The Holy Quran; 42:25)”
Calling upon God and saying, ‘O Lord' from the bottom of heart is sufficient to be answered.
وإِنَّ الرَّاحِلَ إلَيكَ قَريبُ المَسافَةِ
“I know well that for the travelers who set out onto Thee, the destination is very near.” [120]
Not only is God Forgiving but also, “Allah changes the evil deeds to good ones. (The Holy Quran; 25:70)”
Imam Sajjad (a.s) words:
يا مُبدِّلَ السَّيِّئاتِ بأضْعافِها مِن الحَسَناتِ
“O' He Who changes the evil deeds into manifold good deeds.” [121]
Since repentance is good deed, it has a tenfold reward:
مَنْ جَاءَ بِالحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثالِها
“Whoever brings a good deed, he shall have ten like it. (The Holy Quran; 6:160)”
As long as we are in Arafat, we can do nothing except requesting from Him.
A mystic was asked, ‘What have you brought to this door?' He answered: “A beggar who comes to the House of the King is not asked, what have you brought, rather he is asked: What do you need, beggar?”
It is said that a Dervish [122] set out for a king's palace. They said to him: Take off your tattered clothes and put on new ones, for they do not fit the occasion. The Dervish said: What shall I do, for I have no other clothes? There is no blame in going to the royal palace in tatters, but there is blame if one comes out of the palace in tatters.
Likewise, if a man with sins goes to God's House, he is in no way to be blamed, but if he returns from His House with the same sins and ashamed of his sins, it is contrary to God's dignity and expectation.
GOOD TIDINGS: IMAM MAHDI (a.s) IS PRESENT IN ARAFAT A great source of happiness and hope for forgiveness of those staying in Arafat is the presence of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance) in the plain of Arafat every Hajj season; hence, Arafat becomes dignified and descending place for the angels and a source of blessings for those staying there.
Ubaid ibn Zurara quotes Imam Sadiq (a.s) as saying:
يَفقِدُ الناسُ إمامَهُم فَيَشهَدُ المَوسِمَ فَيَراهُم ولا يَرَونَهُ
“People will miss their Imam, but he will witness every season of Hajj. Yet, he can see them but they cannot.” [123]
واللهِ إنَّ صاحِبَ هذا الأمرِ يحضُرُ المَوسِمَ كُلَّ سَنةٍ فَيَرى الناسَ وَيعرِفُهُم ويَرَونَهُ ولا يَعرِفونهُ.
“By Allah I swear, Imam Mahdi witnesses the season of Hajj every year. He can see and know people and they can see him but cannot know him.” [124]
O God, we, pilgrims, turn to You and raise our hands in begging through the grace of Imam Mahdi (a.s) who has blessed this plain and has raised his hands in duaa in front of our gathering. We are sure the Imam's honor is so great that whoever turns to You under his shelter and raises his hand in supplication under the shelter of his hands will not be deprived of God's mercy.
The Holy Prophet (saw) is quoted by Selman the Persian as saying:
“Allah says: O My servant, has it not happened that someone requests something great from you but you will not fulfill his desire unless he brings an intercessor who is dear to you? Let it be known to you that the most honorable and respectable men to Me are Mohammad (saw), his brother Ali (a.s), and the Imams (a.s) who are the media of nearness to Me. Therefore, if you have a desire for a profit or removing of a loss, call Me through Mohammad (saw) and his pure household. Then I will fulfill the desire in the best manner.” [125]
TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DUAA As requirements for duaa to be answered have been met and thousands of hands have been raised in supplication, the pilgrims in Arafat should speak to God with the supplications reached us from the Imams (a.s) in this relation, Imam Hussein's Duaa recited on such a day in Arafat is the most comprehensive. Also, Duaa 47 of al-Sahifat al-Sajjadiyya, containing theme of servitude is extremely useful for those who do not know Arabic can simply talk to God in their own languages and confide their grievances with their Most Kind Creator and know that there is no better confidant for them than God Who has said:
“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way. (The Holy Quran; 2:186)”
Considering the above-mentioned Quranic Verse, is there any fear or concern left in man's heart? The answer is a definite ‘No,' for God Himself says:
“So whoever believes in his Lord, he should neither fear loss nor being overtaken by disgrace. (The Holy Quran; 27:13)”
When there are no ears to listen to our grievances, it is God Who is to listen to our requests.
يا جَارِيَ اللّصِيقُ، يا رُكْنِيَ الوَثيقُ، يا صاحِبَ كلِّ غَريبٍ، يا مُؤْنِسَ كُلِّ وحيدٍ، يا مَلجَأَ كلِّ طَريدٍ، يا مأْوى كُلِّ شَريدٍ
“O my adjacent Neighbor, O my sturdy pillar, O companion of every stranger, o intimate of everyone alone, o refuge of every outcast, o shelter of every wanderer…” [126]
DUAA FOR REAPPEARANCE OF IMAM MAHDI (a.s) The desire for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (may our souls be ransoms for him) who is a cure of the physical and spiritual diseases of human society must be at the top of the list of our requests today. All social and individual misfortunes, ignorance, poverty, moral corruption, and maladies afflicting human beings will be removed with the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s) and security and justice will prevail in the world in the light of his divine guidance. So, let us supplicate to God in unison and say:
“Where is the one prepared to annihilate the oppressors? Where is the one awaited for straightening the crookedness and dishonesty? Where is the one expected (Imam Mahdi) for abolishing oppression and transgression? Where is the one stored for reviving the obligatory command and Sunnah (of the Holy Prophet)? Where is the one selected for resuscitating the reality of the nation and the religion? Where is the one expected for enlivening the Book and the doctrinal provisions? Where is the enlivener of the facts of the religion and its adherents? Where is the breaker of the might of the transgressors? Where is the demolisher of the edifices of polytheism and hypocrisy? Where is the destroyer of the followers of transgression, disobedience, and rebellion? Where is the eradicator of the branches of errors and dispute? Where is the destroyer of the signs of evil and egoistic tendencies? Where is the severer of the cords of falsehood and calumniation? Where is the destroyer of the vicious and disobedient people? Where is the eradicator of the followers of obstinacy and misguidance and the renegade? Where is the one who honors the friends and debases the enemy? Where is the gate of Allah through which all should enter? Where is the countenance of Allah through which the friends attend towards him? Where is the means stretching from the earth to the heaven? Where is the uniter of the companions of virtue and divine pleasure? Where is the avenger of the blood of the prophets and their children? Where is the seeker of revenge for the blood of the martyred ones of Karbala ? Where is the triumphant one (who will overcome) over one who transgressed against him and maligned him? O son of Ahmed, is there a way through which you may be met? May our day (of separation) join the day of reappearance by which we enjoy? When shall we arrive at your streams to quench our thirst?” [127]
When we are said infinite oppression and grave injustice pave the way for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s), despair gives its place to hope in our hearts making waiting for you something pleasant. So, we tolerate all hardship in the hope of your reappearance and keep on supplicating.
فَأَغِثْ يا غِياثَ المُستَغيثِينَ عُبَيدَكَ المُبْتَلى وأَرِهِ سَيِّدَهُ يا شَديدَ القِوى وأَزِلْ عنهُ بهِ الأَسى والجَوى وبَرِّدْ غَليلَهُ يا مَن عَلى العَرشِ استَوى ومَن إلَيهِ الرُّجْعى
“So, help, O' helper of those who seek help, your poor afflicted servant. And show him his Master: O severer of strength and through him (Imam Mahdi) remove his (Your servant's) grief and sorrow. And cool the burning of his hurt, O You who are firm in the Heavenly Throne of power and towards Whom is the return and ultimate end.” [128]
ASK FORGIVENESS FOR YOUR PARENTS, RELATIVES, AND ALL BELIEVERS IN ARAFAT Now that we are blessed with this divine grace and our requests and desires are fulfilled, we should seek forgiveness for our parents, relatives, neighbors, all believers, and the deceased ones. Imam Sadiq (a.s) says:
“Whoever supplicates for his absent brother in faith, a call from the Divine Throne will say: let one hundred thousand times more be for you. So, I thought it was not advisable to leave one hundred thousand supplications certainly answered for one that might or might not be answered.” [130]
WHAT A BLESSED DUAA! Ibn Abi-Umeir reports the following on the authority of Zeid an-Nersi:
Muawieh ibn Wahab and I were in Arafat. He was reciting duaa while his eyes were full of tears. Listening carefully to him, I found out that he was not reciting a singly duaa for himself, rather he was supplicating for people from here and there mentioning their names and father's names. When the pilgrims left Arafat, I said to him, ‘O uncle, I saw something strange about you.' He asked, ‘what was strange?' I answered, ‘In this holy place, you considered your brethren prior to yourself and recited duaa for them!' He said, ‘O my nephew, do not be surprised, for I heard my master and master of every believing man and woman and master of the former and the coming generations after his immaculate fathers (a.s) (if I lie, let my ears become deaf, my eyes blind, and deprived of the Holy Prophet's intercession) as saying:
“Whoever supplicates Allah for his absent brother in faith, an angel from heaven will call: ‘O servant of Allah, let a hundred thousand times more than it be for you.' And an angel from the second heaven will call: ‘O servant of Allah, let there be two hundred thousand times more for you.' And an angel from the third heaven will call: ‘O servant of Allah, let there be three hundred thousand times more for you.' And an angel from the fourth heaven will call: ‘O servant of Allah, let there be four hundred thousand times for you.' And an angel from the fifth heaven will call: ‘O servant of Allah, let there be five hundred thousand time more for you.' And an angel from the sixth heaven will call: ‘O servant of Allah, let there be six hundred thousand times more for you.' And an angel from the seventh heaven will call: ‘O servant of Allah, let there be seven hundred thousand times more for you.' Then, Allah will say: ‘I am the Rich Who will never become poor. O servant of Allah, let there be a million times more for you.'”
‘O my nephew, which is better: to supplicate for oneself or for others?' [131]
NOW, SUPPLICATION TO GOD O Lord, now that You like to hear Your servant's duaa for others and fulfill them, we ask You through the affinity and love of Your most beloved creatures; Mohammad and his household (a.s) to hasten the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s) and guide the human society on the right path of guidance. Also, make the ummah united to defend itself against atheism. Protect our youths against corruption. Do not separate our children and us from the Holy Quran and the household of the Holy Prophet (saw) in this world and the Hereafter. Fill our hearts with Your love and that of the Imams (a.s). Heal the patients all over the world very soon. Make our women chaste. Give a share of this reward to our parents, relatives, neighbors, friends, and the deceased. Keep us from the fire of Your wrath.
THE SUN IN ARAFAT IS SETTING The sun in Arafat is setting and God's banquet is coming to an end. O my beloved, I know this much that this humble person was Your guest and You, the Lord of the heavens and the earth were my Generous Host. Then, I have the right to say:
“My Allah, who is the one who has come before Thee seeking hospitability? Who is the one who has dismounted at Thy door hoping for magnanimity, and to who Thou hast not shown it? Is it good that I come back from Thy door, turned away in disappointment, while I know of no patron qualified by beneficence but Thee?” [132]
How proper it is to conclude the last moment of staying in Arafat with the prayer of Imam Hussein (a.s) on such a day. Here is a summarized translation of the prayer:
“O Allah, we are turning our faces to You in this evening that You glorified and honored by Mohammad— Your Prophet, Messenger, Chosen one among Your creatures, Keeper of Your revelation, bearer of Your good tidings and warnings, and the bright light with whom You have blessed the Muslims and whom You have made mercy from people. Bless him and his household— the chosen ones, the pure, and the immaculate, and include us by means of Your reprieve. To You, voices of different tongues have directed. O Allah, give us in this evening a share of the blessings that you give to Your servants, light of guidance, mercy that You spread, blessings that You reveal, wellbeing that You extend, and abundant sustenance; You are certainly the Most Merciful of the merciful ones. O Allah, in this very time, include us with the successful, the thriving, the blessed, and the winning, and do not deprive us of Your mercy and of that for which we hope, and do not refute us with disappointment, and do not reject us from Your door. You are certainly the Most Generous of the generous ones and the Most Munificent of the munificent. We are directing towards You with full confidence and towards yours Sacred House with full intentions” [133]
The sun in Arafat set amid tears, moaning, and lamentations of Imam Hussein (a.s) and his companions who then set out for al-Mash'ar al-Haram.
“During the Farewell Hajj, the pilgrims' stay in Arafat was completed, the Holy Prophet (saw) said: “O Bilal, tell people to keep silent.” When they did, he (saw) said: “Today, Allah has favored you. He has forgiven the good ones among you and bestowed upon you the right of intercession for the bad ones. Hence, He forgave the bad ones with the intercession of the good ones. Now, set out and all of you have been forgiven by Allah's mercy.” [134]
Obviously the question of people's rights is another topic in a way that the consent and satisfaction of the owner of a right is prerequisite for God's forgiveness. Hence, all were forgiven “save those who violate people's rights, for God in Just and will take the right of the oppressed from the oppressors.” [135]
“So, when you hasten on from Arafat, then remember Allah near the Holy Monument — Al-Mash'ar al-Haram. (The Holy Quran; 2:198)”
Day of Arafat and staying in the plain of Arafat has come to an end and it is now the eve of the Eid ul-Adha. [136] The pilgrims are prepared to move towards al-Mash'ar al-Haram. With the light of God's cognition upon all hearts, we now depart from Mount Mercy to stay overnight in al-Mash'ar al-Haram and attend another banquet of God.
It is praiseworthy to delay the Maghrib –evening- and Eshaa –night- (obligatory) Prayers to be performed in al-Mash'ar al-Haram, but because of too many pilgrims, slow traffic and the fear of default, the Maghrib and Eshaa Prayers are performed in Arafat. After having a light dinner, the pilgrims set out for al-Mash'ar. There is a tumult among the crowd, for every pilgrim is busy taking away the tent, packing his personal effects, and getting on into buses. So, great care is needed not to be distracted. Under such circumstances, Satan tries to keep man preoccupied so as to deprive him of his spiritual state. The pilgrims might get angry at getting a seat in front or back of the bus, the quantity of food, or carriage of the effects. Hence, they should be as tolerant, soft, and good-tempered as possible, for God says:
“Whatever good you do, Allah knows it; and make provision, for surely the provision is the guardian of oneself, and be careful of your duty to Me, O men of understanding. (The Holy Quran; 2:197)”
“Whoever restrains his anger Allah will increase his honor in this world and the Hereafter. Allah says: Those who restrain their anger and pardon men; and Allah loves the doers of good to others. (The Holy Quran; 3:134)” [137]
AL-MASH'AR OR THE MEETING PLACE OF GOD's LOVERS Al-Mash'ar is also called ‘al-Muzdalifah—the near place-' since it is very near to Mecca . There is a consensus among the Islamic scholars that the Maghrib and Eshaa Prayers should be offered together in al-Mash'ar. It is derived from the Arabic root ‘sh-a-r' meaning ‘motto' or ‘sign'. It is a place for those seeking God, for no sign of mammonism or egotism is there. Al-Mash'ar is a dark plain with pebbles on it, which has accommodated over one million pilgrims who have taken refuge in God and supplications under the dim light of stars of a mysterious sky. It is truly Mash'ar –sign-, for nothing but God-seeking mottos can be heard. Eyes cannot see anywhere but the echo of supplications soothes man's soul.
WHAT A BLESSED PLACE AND WHAT AN AUSPICIOUS NIGHT! This night has no equal in man's life. It is dark but brighter than any day for men of heart. It is a night when the breeze of God's mercy is blowing and rain of His forgiveness is falling. It is a night when the doors of God's favor are opened to man. It is the even of the festival of sacrifice and the time of the King's public audience.
“If you can keep vigil tonight, do it, for it has been reported to us that the gates of heaven are not closed to the believers tonight. Allah says: ‘I am Your Lord and you are My servants. You have paid my due. Hence, it is incumbent on Me to answer your prayer.' Therefore, He removes the sins of whomever He wishes and forgives whom He wills.” [138]
NIGHT, TIME OF COMMUNION WITH GOD Men of heart and insight know that night is opportune time for communion with God. Among blessings God has bestowed upon man is the blessing of night:
وَجَعَلْنَا اللّيْلَ لِباساً
“And We made the night to be a covering. (The Holy Quran; 78:10)”
وَاللّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى
“I swear by the night when it draws a veil. (The Holy Quran; 92:1)”
Should the child-like playful man be left to himself, he is so much in love with the playing called the world and its ornaments that he will ruin himself. But like a loving mother who puts her playful child to sleep so that the child's energy will not go into waste, God puts a covering on man so that his eyes will not see all these toys and will be quieted down. Unfortunately, this playful man has turned nights into days with artificial lights and spends his precious life on love for the world making himself physically and mentally exhausted and deprived of the aim of creation. In this world where most people are dead-hearted “and most of them do not understand,” [139] there are men of heart who are source of human dignity and living evidence of man's superiority over animals, people who work during the day and keep vigil at night.
“During the day they are enduring, learned, virtuous, and God-fearing. Fear of Allah has made them thin like arrows, if anyone looks at them he believes they are sick, although they are not sick, and he says that they have gone mad. In fact, great concern has made them mad. During the night they are upstanding on their feet reading portions of the Quran and reciting it in a well-measured way, creating through it grief for themselves and seeking by it the care for their ailments. If they come across a verse creating eagerness for Paradise they pursue it avidly, and their spirit turns towards it eagerly, and they feel as if it is in from of them. And when they come across a verse which contains fear of Hell, they bend the ears of their hearts towards it, and feel as though the sound of Hell and its cries are reaching their ears. They bend themselves from their backs, prostrate themselves on their foreheads, their palms, their knees, and their toes, and beseech Allah, the Sublime for their deliverance.” [140]
Imam Ali (a.s) longed for the nights to come so that he could have communion with God. During his supplication, he would always say:
“Alas! The provision is little, the way is long, the journey is far and the goal is hard to reach.” [141]
NOW IT IS NIGHT, THE EVEN OF FEAST OF SACRIFICE IN AL-MASH'AR AL-HARAM The eve of Eid ul-Adha is among four blessed nights along with the Laylat ul-Qadr –the Grand Night- for keeping vigil. Imam Ali (a.s) says:
“I like to see myself free during four nights to engage in prayer: the eve of month of Rajab, the eve of mid-Shaban, the eve of Eid ul-Fitr (feast of breaking the fast), and the even of Eid ul-Adha.” [142]
The pilgrims should reduce their sleep and food and instead engage in prayer, for the hours and days spent in the Hajj rites are very important. God introduces them as numbered and stated days:
وَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ في أَيَّامٍ مَعْدُودَاتٍ
“And laud Allah during the numbered days. (The Holy Quran; 2:203)”
وَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللهَ في أَيَّامٍ مَعْدُودَاتٍ
“And mention the name of Allah in stated days. (The Holy Quran; 22:28 )”
To sum it up, the pilgrims must take advantage of these transient heavenly hours during which they are God's guests and He has declared His readiness to fulfill the requests of His guests:
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ اُدْعُونِي اَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ
“And your Lord says: Call upon Me, I will answer you. (The Holy Quran; 40:60)”
If a beggar asks for something, it is not strange, but when a generous one is looking for a beggar, it is something unusual. A hadith says:
“When night comes to an end, Allah will say: Is there anyone calling upon Me so that I will answer him? Is there anyone asking Me so that I will fulfill his request? Is there anyone to ask forgiveness so that I will forgive him? Is there any repentant so that I will accept his repentance?” [143]
How can God possibly reject His servants' calls and begging when He Himself says:
وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلا تَنْهَرْ
“And as for him who asks, do not chide (him). (The Holy Quran; 93:10)”
As everything is prepared for our duaas to be answered, we first pray for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s), confess our wrongdoings, and supplicate in this way:
فَما كُلُّ ما نَطَقتُ بهِ عَن جَهلٍ مِنّي بِسوءِ أَثَري ولا نِسيانٍ لمِا سَبَقَ مِن ذَميمِ فِعلي لكِنْ لِتسمَعَ سماؤكَ ومَن فيها وأرضُكَ ومَن عَليها ما أظْهَرتُ لكَ مِن النّدمِ ولجأتُ إليكَ فيهِ من التّوبةِ، فَلَعلَّ بعضَهُم بِرحمتِكَ يَرحمُني لِسوءِ موقِفي أو تُدرِكُهُ الرِّقّةُ عليَّ لِسوءِ حالي فيَنالُني منهُ بِدعوَةٍ هيَ أسمَعُ لدَيكَ مِن دُعائي أو شَفاعَةٍ أَوْكَدَ عِندكَ مِن شَفاعَتي تكونُ بِها نجَاتي مِن غَضَبِك وفَوزَتي بِرضاكَ
“Now all that I have said rise up from my ignorance of my evil footsteps or forgetfulness of my blameworthy acts in the past, but in order that Thy heaven and those within it and Thy earth and those upon it may hear the remorse which I have professed to Thee and the repentance through which I have sought asylum with Thee. Then perhaps one of them, through Thy mercy, may show mercy upon my evil situation or be seized by tenderness for my evil state. There may come from him for my sake a supplication to which Thou givest ear more than to my supplication or an intercession surer with Thee than my intercession through which I may be delivered from Thy wrath and attain to Thy good pleasure.” [144]
REFLECT FOR AN HOUR Amid all acts of worship, reflecting on the philosophy of the Hajj rites, staying in al-Mash'ar al-Haram and the praiseworthy act of gathering pebbles and the mysterious acts in Mina as well as reflecting on all these acts is a superior act of worship. The Holy Prophet (saw) says:
فِكْرَةُ ساعَةٍ خَيرٌ مِن عِبادَةِ سَنَةٍ
“An hour of reflection is better than a year of worship.” [145]
“Worship is not an excess of praying and fasting, rather it is reflection on Allah's creation.” [146]
NIGHT IN AL-MASH'AR AL-HARAM AND REFLECTION Night in al-Mash'ar al-Haram is opportune time for reflection. The sky there with the radiance of its stars creates a heavenly and spiritual state in man and takes to a world above other worlds.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF STAYING OVERNIGHT IN AL-MASH'AR Let us reflect on the philosophy of staying overnight in al-Mash'ar, perhaps a door of God's mystery will be opened to us. We have come to al-Mash'ar to have full cognition of God and to renew our covenant with Him. Let us follow the duaa of Imam Hussein made on the day of Arafat:
أَيَكُونُ لِغَيرِكَ مِن الظُّهورِ ما لَيسَ لكَ حَتّى يكونَ هو المَظهَرَ لك؟ مَتى غِبتَ حتى تحَتاجَ إلى دَليلٍ يَدُلُّ عليكَ؟ ومتى بَعُدتَ حتى تَكونَ الآثارُ هِي الّتي تُوصِلُ إليكَ؟ عَمِيَتْ عَينٌ لا تَراكَ علَيها رَقِيباً وخَسِرَت صَفْقَةُ عَبدٍ لم تجعَلْ لهُ مِن حُبِّكَ نصِيباً
“Is there any being more bright than You in whose light to find You? When have You been hidden to seek You under guidance? When have You been far away to turn to You through a sign? Let those eyes not seeing You watchful be blind and let the servant who has no love of You suffer losses and gain nothing.” [147]
Al-Mash'ar al-Haram is the manifestation of God-seeking motto.
“So, when you hasten on from Arafat, then remember Allah near the Holy Monument — Al-Mash'ar al-Haram. (The Holy Quran; 2:198)”
Al-Mash'ar al-Haram is dark and nothing but God prevails it. The light of God's cognition has filled a pilgrim's heart so much so that everything is effected in its light:
عَظُمَ الخالِقُ في أنفُسِهِم فَصَغُر ما دونَهُ في أعيُنِهِم
“The greatness of the Creator is seated in their hearts, and so, everything else appears small in their eyes.” [148]
“The world of the mammonists is worthless than what trodden on.” [149]
PRAISE WORTHINESS OF PICKING UP PEBBLES IN AL-MASH'AR A pilgrim's recommended act in al-Mash'ar is to pick up pebbles as many as seventy to take them to Mina to be thrown at the symbolic Satan. This act, yet not much pleasant, is a sign of man's obedience to God's command.
AL-MASH'AR AL-HARAM, A SIGN OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION The educational school of Islam displays the world and its pleasures to the eyes of a Muslim as worthless as pebbles, for all crimes and corruptions in the world are the result of love of the world in a way the Holy Prophet (saw) says:
حُبُّ الدّنيا رَأْسُ كلِّ خَطيئَةٍ
“Love for this world is the source of all wrongdoings.” [150]
On the other hand, if a man is destitute, the desires which are inherent in his being and have not been properly satisfied will overflow making him rebel and disobedient especially if he lives in an environment with injustice and class differences. Imam Ali (a.s) says to his son Mohammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah:
“O my son, I fear lest destitution overtakes you. So, you should seek Allah's protection from it, because destitution is deficiency of religious belief, perplexity of intelligence, and it is conductive to hatred of obstinate people.” [151]
The Holy Prophet (saw) says:
كادَ الفَقْرُ أنْ يَكونَ كُفْراً
“Destitution is very close to the boundary of disbelief.” [152]
Today, material manifestations have become criteria of supremacy. If the ummah do not care about material manifestations, they will be undermined. In addition, since some Muslims do not enjoy sound religious training and they are not people who “shall not fear the censure of any censurer (The Holy Quran; 5:44 ),” they should not only promote their moral and spiritual virtues, but they should have enough wealth to preserve their supremacy in the world and honor and prosperity in the Hereafter. The Holy Quran says:
“And prepare against them what force you can and horses tied at the frontier, to frighten thereby the enemy of Allah and your enemy. (8:60)”
Imam Kazim (a.s) says:
إنّكُم قَومٌ أعداؤكُم كَثيرةٌ، يا مَعاشِرَ الشّيعَةِ، إنّكُم قَد عاداكُمُ الخَلقُ فَتَزيَّنوا لهُم بما قَدِرتُم عليهِ
“O Shiites, you have lots of enemies looking for a pretext to attack and humiliate you. So, be prepared against them as much as you can.” [153]
HALTING PLACE VI: MINA, THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE Thanks to God, we have completed staying in al-Mash'ar al-Haram. We now move to Mina after sunrise of Eid ul-Adha, with a heart full of God's love and ready for offering our sacrifices. We are going to display in Mina what we have gained spiritually in Arafat and al-Mash'ar. Mina is the place of sacrifice. We intend to sacrifice the world for the satisfaction of God. Our wealth, position, reputation, and even our children have to be sacrificed for God. Mina displays the world people spiritual assets of perfect men who represent prophets. It is the manifestation of God's special favor to men of heart:
“Therefore, put off your shoes; surely you are in the sacred valley, Tuwa. (The Holy Quran; 20:12 )”
You have been so honored that you are qualified to stand before God! Imam Sadiq (a.s) says:
إذا أَخَذَ الناسُ مَنازِلهُم بمِنَى نادَى مُنادٍ: يا مِنَى قدْ جاءَ أهْلُكِ فَاتَّسِعي في فِجاجِكِ واتْرَعي في مَثابِكِ، ومنادٍ يُنادي: لو تَدرون بمَن حَلَلتُم لأيقَنتُم بِالخَلفِ بَعدَ المَغفِرَة
“When people arrive in Mina, a herald will call out: ‘O Mina, your dwellers have come! Open your arms and fill your pools with water!' Another herald will call out: ‘If you know before Whom you have come, you will gain certitude about forgiveness and compensation of what you have spent.” [154]
This is certainly a reference to the Quranic Verse:
وَمَا أَنْفَقْتُمْ مِنْ شَيءٍ فَهُوَ ُيخْلِفُهُ
“Whatever thing you spend, He exceeds it in reward. (34:39)”
Although Mina is no more than a small valley, it extraordinarily accommodates a crowd several times its capacity and the abundance of food, welfare, and comfort in this place comes from invisible source. In this relation, Ibn Abbas says:
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